The women filling jails in Argentina for drug offences – a photo essay

Nearly half the female prisoners in Argentina are serving time for drug possession. Photographer Magali Druscovich visited the Unit 47 prison in Buenos Aires to find out their stories

Paola left her home when she was 13 to escape abuse and violence. She lived on the streets for five years until she became pregnant. Her boyfriend left her when he found out. Without work and food, Paola agreed to deal drugs for a neighbourhood kingpin.

She only had to deliver the drugs when her boss's clients appeared on a street corner. With the money she made in the first few months, she was able to rent a room and live there with her newborn son. With a new partner and her family's basic needs covered she felt she could abandon her dealer job.

Top, Paola, 35, cooks fried cake for relatives who come to visit. Above, Sonia, 38, puts on makeup in her cell. She is detained, accused of dealing drugs, without a final sentence. Right, a count of female prisoners in ward two in Unit 47. Far right, Sharon, 38, waits inside her cell for the officers to enter to count the prisoners